The Ping Pong Player and the Professor - by Richard Sosis (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Most Americans view ping pong as either a basement recreation or the focus of a fraternity-party drinking game. Yet table tennis is an Olympic sport and one of the most popular athletic activities in the world. The Ping Pong Player and the Professor is a quirky memoir about the adventures of a Jewish anthropologist and his son, an elite player, in the colorful subculture of this extraordinary sport. The tale of their exploits in this hidden world is peppered with anthropological wisdom-the professor can't help himself-on a range of topics, including ethnicity, religion, sport, family, and how humans create and discover meaning in life. At its core The Ping Pong Player and the Professor is a heartwarming love story about the relationship between a father and son, two introverts who share a common bond over a nine-foot by five-foot table.

Review Quotes

"An intimate window into the quirky world of table tennis, full of poignant insights reaching well beyond the sporting world."

-Will Shortz, New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor

"An engrossing read, full of humor, about the world of table tennis and the love between a father and son. I give it five stars."

-Danny Seemiller, 5-time US National Men's Table Tennis Champion and Olympic Table Tennis Coach

"This often humorous yet always perceptive account of US table tennis brings to life the culture, communities, and competition of an Olympic sport better known to most Americans as "ping pong." Through the author's personal journey-first as a competitive player himself, and then as the parent-coach of his youngest son-the reader is transported into a world replete with camaraderie, competition, and drama relatable to any sports parent who has cheered a child's victory or consoled a defeat. Throughout this journey US table tennis transforms from an essentially egalitarian enterprise into an increasingly elite experience as a beloved son grows up and departs from the family nest. It is a sports ethnography rich in history and human insight that will engage table tennis enthusiasts and sports fans alike. It is also a love story of father and son that speaks eloquently to parents everywhere."

-Candace Alcorta, University of Connecticut

"The Ping Pong Player and the Professor is a captivating and heartwarming memoir that chronicles the personal story of an accomplished anthropology professor raising his gifted table tennis-playing son, and the unexpected ways in which both parent and child experience personal growth along the way. Written from the perspective of a loving father, the book explores the challenges and rewards of parenting, the pursuit of excellence, and the transformative power of competitive sport to foster human connections. Written in an engaging and accessible style, Professor Sosis's memoir also provides readers with a fascinating glimpse into the diverse and dynamic table tennis communities in the US, showcasing their history and the colorful personalities that make them so captivating. The Ping Pong Player and the Professor prompts readers to contemplate the significance of family, sports, community, and personal development. I found the book thoroughly enjoyable and strongly recommend it to parents, sports aficionados, or anyone interested in the ways in which meaning emerges through the interplay of tradition, improvisation, and loving relationships."

-Joseph Bulbulia, University of Victoria, Wellington

"With the objectivity of an anthropologist and the passionate engagement of a father, Professor Sosis guides us on a multifaceted journey through parenthood, table tennis, and Jewish life and practice with humor, contagious curiosity, deep insight, and broad knowledge. This book is a gift to both head and heart, especially for anyone who struggles with life across multiple worlds."

-Ariel Burger, The Witness Institute